System for storing and utilizing picture image data recorded by digital camera

ABSTRACT

Pictures recorded by a digital camera can be stored and utilized by a method convenient and appropriate for the situation. The system comprises variety of means for transferring picture image data recorded by a variety of digital cameras to an image server installed in a DPE or the like and a variety of accessing means for enabling the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed.

This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.08/975,111, filed on Nov. 20, 1997, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference and for which priority is claimed under35U.S.C. §120; and this application claims priority of Application No.8-309324 filed in JAPAN on Nov. 20, 1996 under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a picture image storing and utilizingsystem wherein picture image data recorded by a digital camera arestored in a large capacity disc of a server computer installed in aminilab, DPE or the like, and the stored picture image data are utilizedlater by printing or downloading them.

2. Description of the Related Art

Following the rapid spread of personal computers and personal digitalassistants (PDA) recently, there has been a growing demand for utilizinga picture image recorded by a user as digital image data. As a serviceprovided by laboratories or DPE's to meet the demand, a digital outputservice has been known which records image data in a photo CD or in alarge capacity floppy disc and returns it to a customer when a film, onwhich image data has been recorded, is deposited for developing by thecustomer. Alternatively, a network photograph service wherein image dataare stored in a server computer installed in a laboratory or in a DPE sothat a customer can request download of the image data via the Internetor the like has been proposed.

Meanwhile, in the case of digital cameras, digital image data can beobtained directly by recording, without involving a DPE. Therefore,image data recorded by digital cameras are generally stored and managedby individuals. In other words, a user of a digital camera generallyrecords picture images by using the digital camera, and transfers thepicture image data within the memory of the digital camera into a harddisc of a personal computer or the like when the memory becomes full.

Several methods have been used for transferring picture image data froma digital camera to a personal computer. In the case where the digitalcamera used for recording stores picture image data recorded thereby inthe built-in memory thereof, a data transfer can be carried out byconnecting the digital camera with a personal computer using apredetermined interface cable. As the method similar to the above,camera loading transfer device wherein a table which has a predeterminedcontact is connected to a personal computer using a cable and image dataare transferred from a digital camera to the personal computer via thecontact by loading the digital camera on the table has been implemented.This is a so-called docking station or a camera station, and the camerastation CS-36 by Canon Inc. is an example of such camera stations.

In the case where a digital camera stores picture image data recordedthereby in a removable medium such as a memory card, the picture imagedata can be transferred from the digital camera to a personal computerusing a reading apparatus such as a card reader. Furthermore, in thecase where a digital camera belongs to a PDA or a digital camera has acommunication function, image data can be transferred to a personalcomputer via a modem and a public telephone line (including portablephones). Moreover, some digital cameras can transfer image data viainfrared communication.

As described above, storage and utilization of picture image datarecorded by a digital camera implicitly assumes that a user of a digitalcamera has a personal computer. Furthermore, the fact that subsequentrecording cannot be carried out unless image data are transferred to apersonal computer when the memory of a digital camera becomes full meansthat a personal computer should be carried with a digital camera.

However, the rate of ownership of portable notebook type personalcomputers is not high, even though personal computers have become widespread recently. Even if a user has a notebook type personal computer,it is not realistic for the user to carry the computer with him/herduring a trip only for storing image data of a digital camera.Furthermore, even if the user carries the computer with him/her, it ispossible that recorded picture images cannot be transferred due to thedisc space of the computer becoming full.

On the other hand, it is not necessary to carry a personal computer if aplurality of memory cards are available and can be exchanged in the samemanner as films of an ordinary camera. However, memory cards are farmore costly than films, and the maintenance cost of a digital camerawould become very high if a plurality of memory cards were necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, implementation of a method which can store and utilizepictures recorded by a digital camera more easily and at a lower costhas been desired. Based on consideration of the problems describedabove, the object of the present invention is to provide a picture imagedata storing and utilizing system which enables even a user who does nothave a personal computer at hand or at all to use a digital cameraeasily and to store or utilize picture images recorded by a digitalcamera.

A first picture image data storing and utilizing system of the presentinvention comprises an image server which stores picture image data, atleast one medium reading means which transfers picture image data,recorded by a digital camera and stored in a removable medium, to theimage server by reading the removable medium, and accessing means whichenables the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessedand utilized.

A second picture image data storing and utilizing system of the presentinvention comprises, instead of the medium reading means of the firstsystem, at least one data transferring means for transferring thepicture image data, recorded by a digital camera and stored in thebuilt-in memory of the digital camera from the digital camera to theimage server.

Furthermore, a third picture image data storing and utilizing system ofthe present invention comprises the image server, the accessing means,the medium reading means, and the data transferring means.

In addition to each of the device mentioned above, a picture image datastoring and utilizing system of the present invention may comprise fileoutputting means which outputs picture image data stored in the imageserver as a file in a predetermined recording medium, or printoutputting means which outputs picture image data stored in the imageserver as prints.

“The image server” herein referred to means, for example, a servercomputer which is installed in a DPE or a laboratory or the like, andhas a large capacity disc which is sufficient for storing picture imagedata of customers.

“The removable medium” herein referred to means, for example, a memorycard or the like inserted in a digital camera. “At least one mediumreading means which transfers picture image data recorded by a digitalcamera and stored in a removable medium to the image server by readingthe removable medium” means a card reader and a cable to connect thecard reader with the image server, for example. “The data transferringmeans” refers to a cable interface, a docking station, and acommunication line as described above, for example. The communicationchannel means not only means using wires but also includes using othermethods of date transfer such as radio infrared communication or aportable phone for example.

“Enables the picture image data stored in the image server to beaccessed and utilized” means, for example, to utilize all kinds ofservices having been carried out at a DPE or having been proposed as anetwork photograph service, such as the case where the image data arebrowsed, searched for, downloaded, ordered for a print, output in afloppy disc or the like, and transferred to a specified apparatus.

“The accessing means” is meant to include not only communicationequipment and channels which make an access from a personal computer ora PDA via a network possible, but also other things such as a monitorand inputting means, including a keyboard and a touch panel for example,which are both connected directly to the image server. The software tobe installed in the server computer, that is, the software whereby arequest for a service is received, and picture image data are displayed,searched for, and transferred in response to the request, and by whichan outputting apparatus such as a printer is controlled, obviously maybe included as part of the accessing means.

Furthermore, if picture image data in the memory card of a digitalcamera have file names such as 0001.JPG, 0002.JPG, 0003.JPG and so on inthe order of recording, it is possible that the file names are exactlythe same as file names of picture image data transferred from anotherdigital camera, when the picture image data are transferred to the imageserver under the original file names. Therefore, it is preferable thatthe picture image storing and utilizing system of the present inventionfurther comprises file name assigning means for assigning a file namewhich is used for storing the image data in the image server anddifferent from the file name of the image data before the image data aretransferred to the picture image data transferred to the image server.

More specifically, means for determining a file name using the cameracode to identify the digital camera used for recording the image data,the possessor code representing the possessor of the digital camera, thedate code representing the date of recording, or the like, is possible.A variety of information used to determine such a file name may be inputwith a keyboard when the image data are transferred.

Some digital cameras add the date of recording or the like to pictureimage data as recording property information, and store the pictureimage data together with the recording property information in built-inmemories or memory cards. In this case, a file name may be determinedautomatically by reading such recording property information, withoutrequesting a user to input the information.

Each means described above may exist as an individual apparatus.However, it is preferable to store all means in a frame so that theframe can be placed at a counter of a DPE, at a sightseeing spot, at aconvenience store or a station, for example. In this case, all meansincluding the image server may be stored in a frame. However, since thepicture image data stored in the image server are the property of acustomer and to be stored securely, it is preferable that the imageserver is separately placed in a DPE or the like and only the inputtingsystem such as a card reader and/or a cable interface is stored in oneframe in order to be placed at different locations.

In this case, a temporary storage server which controls input and storesinput image data temporarily is obviously stored in such a frame.Transfer means for transferring the image data temporarily stored in thetemporary storage server is also included in the frame. Furthermore, notonly the inputting system but also file outputting means and printoutputting means may also be included in the frame.

In this case, a data transfer will be carried out between the imageserver and the frame having the variety of picture image datainputting/outputting means. This transfer may be carried out from thetemporary storage server to the image server via a communication channelor the like, after image data are temporarily stored in the temporarystorage server which carries out input/output control of the card readerinstalled in the frame, for example. Alternatively, if the frame isplaced outside, radio may be used for the transfer. Any known methodwhich has been used usually can be adopted as the transfer method.

In other words, “at least one medium reading means which transferspicture image data recorded by a digital camera and stored in aremovable medium to the image server by reading the removable medium” or“at least one data transferring means for transferring the picture imagedata recorded by a digital camera and stored in the built-in memory ofthe digital camera from the digital camera to the image server” means,for example, to include any necessary equipment and means fortransferring the obtained image data to the image server, such as a cardreader, a docking station, the temporary storage server, a modem, atransceiver, a cable, and a telephone line.

By comprising the data transferring means for transferring picture imagedata recorded by a digital camera to the image server installed in a DPEor the like, and accessing means for enabling the digital image datastored in the image server to be accessed, the picture image datastoring and utilizing system of the present invention can store pictureimage data by using a method which is convenient and appropriate for thesituation, regardless of the type of digital camera or whether or notthe user carries or possesses a personal computer, and can utilize thepicture image data in various methods.

If the customer-system interface portion (such as a card reader) isimplemented by storing the interface portion in a frame, such as acoin-operated machine and the communication between the coin-operatedmachine and the other portion of the system (such as the image server)is carried out by radio, for example, it is convenient for both serviceproviders and customers, since costly equipment and important data arestrictly managed at a DPE while the equipment for the interface portioncan be placed as an unmanned service machine in DPEs, sightseeing spots,convenience stores, stations or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a picture image data storingand utilizing system of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a coin-operated machine, and

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing advantageous results of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a picture image data storing and utilizing system of thepresent invention will be explained referring to the accompanyingdrawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the picture imagedata storing and utilizing system of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the picture image data storing and utilizing system comprises aserver computer 6 (an image server) having a large capacity disc, avariety of means for storing picture image data recorded by a digitalcamera 1 in the image server 6, and a variety of means for utilizing thepicture image data stored in the image server 6.

Storage of the picture image data in the image server 6 will beexplained first. It is preferable to have a plurality of picture imagedata storing devices so that all kinds of digital cameras, regardless oftheir types or manufacturers, can be dealt with by this system. Morespecifically, a card reader 2 is installed so that digital cameras usingmemory cards can be handled by this system. It is preferable to have aplurality kinds of card readers according to the standard of memorycards such as PCMCIA or SSFDC.

An interface cable 3, a docking station 4, an infrared receiver 5 andthe like may also or alternatively be installed in this system as inputor transfer devices so that digital cameras, which record image data inbuilt-in memories thereof, can be dealt with. In this case, it is alsopreferable to have several kinds of interface cables 3 and dockingstations 4 according to the standards of digital cameras, since thespecifications of the interface cable 3 and the docking station 4 varydepending on the types of digital cameras.

The above devices suppose that a user of this system directly faces thissystem's user interface. However, it is preferable for this system tocomprise storing devices by a communication channel so that pictureimage data can be stored without a user facing the system directly. Forexample, it is preferable for this system to comprise a modem 8 fortransferring image data from the built-in memory of a digital camera tothe image server 6 using a portable phone or the like as an alternativeinput or transfer device, and equipment and software which are installedin the image server 6 for allowing such an access via a communicationchannel.

Some digital cameras have the function of compressing picture image datato save memory space when the picture image data obtained by recordingusing the cameras are stored in the cameras' memories. However, theprocessing time for recording is shorter when no compression is carriedout on the image data. Therefore, a digital camera of such a type doesnot necessarily compress the image data for all recordings, and a userof such a camera can often select whether or not the compression iscarried out by switching a mode or the like. Therefore, the judgment asto whether or not the image data have been compressed may be carried outbased upon necessity when picture image data are stored in the imageserver 6, and the picture image data without compression may be storedin the image server 6 after compression of the image data by the imageserver 6. In the case where a cable connection or a communicationchannel connection is used for data transfer, it is preferable tocompress picture image data using a digital camera so that the timenecessary for the transfer of the data becomes shorter.

To utilize the picture image data stored in the image server 6 aftersearching for the image data, each image data should obviously be storedin the image server under a file name different from any other filenames. If the file name of the picture image data before transferred tothe image server 6, that is, the file name of the picture image datastored in the built-in memory or the like of a digital camera, is aunique file name including the name of a photographer, for example, itwill not cause a problem. However, a plurality of digital cameras useserial numbers or the like as the file names, and if the transfer of theimage data is carried out with the file names as they are, some filenames will be exactly the same.

Therefore, when the picture image data are transferred, a file namewhich will not have an exact match within the image server 6 and isdifferent from the file name in the built-in memory or the like isdetermined, and storage of the image data is carried out under thedetermined file name. This file name is automatically determinedaccording to a predetermined rule, using information input from akeyboard or recording property information added to the picture imagedata by the function of a digital camera.

For example, the file name can be determined by a combination ofinformation such as the type code and the product No. code of a digitalcamera, the type code and the product No. code of a removable medium,the possessor code of the digital camera and the removable medium, thedate of recording, the date of data transfer, the number of the transferwithin a day, and the frame number in the built-in memory or in theremovable medium. The file name may be determined by combining the framenumber and the receipt number which is determined by combining the nameof the image server and the date of data transfer for example, when thetransferred picture image data are received by the image server 6.

Next, it will be explained how the picture image data stored in theimage server 6 by the variety of means described above are used. Asmethods of using the picture image data, that is, the form of serviceprovided to a customer, there are picture image data browsing, printordering, file output to a predetermined medium, and data transfer bydownload or attachment to an electronic mail message.

One of the means for requesting the image server 6 to provide such aservice comprises a monitor 7 which is directly connected to the imageserver 6, and an input device 14 such as a keyboard or a touch panel. Itis preferable to make the image server accessible from a personalcomputer 11 or a PDA 12 via a communication channel. In this manner, auser can request the service, regardless of where he/she is, orregardless of whether or not he/she has a personal computer.

In order to respond to a print order requested by the variety ofaccessing means or to the file output service request, the systemcomprises a printer 9 and a medium drive 10. It is preferable that aplurality of medium drives 10 are installed for a plurality of mediasuch as a floppy disc, an MO disc, and a Zip disc.

The outline of the picture image storing and utilizing system of thepresent invention has been described above, referring to FIG. 1.However, the variety of means shown in FIG. 1 are not necessarilyinstalled at one location. Especially, when the object of the presentinvention, that is, to make digital cameras more easily usable, is takeninto consideration, it is preferable to implement the present inventionas an easily usable embodiment such as an unmanned service or selfservice, as is the case of an automatic vending machine, an ATM at abank, or a fax machine at a convenience store.

For this purpose, it is preferable that the card reader 2, the interfacecable 3, the docking station 4, the infrared beam receiver 5, the mediumdrive 10, the printer 9, the monitor 7 and the input device (such as atouch panel) 14 in FIG. 1 are all stored in one frame or unit, andplaced at a station or a convenience store or the like as acoin-operated (or cash/credit card/debit card, etc.) machine shown inFIG. 2. In this manner, it becomes possible, for example, for a user toset his/her digital camera on a coin-operated machine installed in astation, and store the picture image data recorded thereby duringhis/her trip. Even in the case where the service is provided at a DPE inthe conventional manner, 24-hour service becomes possible, since thisservice can be provided as an unmanned service.

However, in this case, a coin-operated machine 15 only has the functionof storing the input picture image data temporarily. Therefore, periodicdata transfers to the image server 6 are carried out via a communicationchannel or the like. It is also possible for the coin-operated machine15 to include the image server 6 with the present system serving as astand alone machine. However, the coin-operated machine 15 may notnecessarily be protected perfectly depending on its location. Therefore,it is preferable for the image server 6 which stores important pictureimages of customers to be placed in a DPE or the like.

In the field of cameras using a film, an unmanned film developingservice using a coin-operated locker or the like has been proposed.However, since collection and delivery of films or prints should becarried out by hand, the service can not necessarily be provided in ashort time and at a low cost. On the other hand, with respect to digitalcameras, a wider variety of services can be provided at a low cost,since digital cameras have an advantage in terms of cost, because oftheir ability to transfer picture images as data via a communicationchannel or the like.

FIG. 3 shows how convenient the picture image storing and utilizingsystem of the present invention is. In other words, FIG. 3 is a diagramto explain the advantage of the present system. Using the system of thepresent invention, a user can store picture image data at a plurality ofplaces during his/her trip, for example, and it is not necessary for theuser to carry his/her computer with his/her digital camera. Furthermore,data can be stored at any place and time, if a user has a digital camerahaving a communication function and a portable phone.

Moreover, not only at a place where a person has gone but also inhis/her daily life, picture image data can be stored at any time of theday at a DPE or a convenience store or the like. On this occasion, sincea service such as a print order or a image data transfer to a friend ordata output to a predetermined medium can be requested using an inputpanel of a coin-operated machine or the like, a person who does notpossess a personal computer can exchange picture image data easily withothers by data transfer or file output.

A user having a personal computer can obviously enjoy such a printoutput or file output service described above or a data download serviceby accessing the image server 6 via communication means. Furthermore, ifa user has a FDA 12 and a portable phone, the user can enjoy suchservices at any place.

As described above, the picture image data storing and utilizing systemof the present invention can not only solve the inconvenience in digitalcamera data storage, but can also make optimal use of the feature ofdigital cameras, namely that picture images can be dealt with as digitalimage data from recording to data output.

What is claimed is:
 1. A terminal for obtaining an image comprising:picture taking means for obtaining picture image data by taking apicture; recording means for recording the picture image data in arecording medium; transferring means for transferring the picture imagedata from the recording medium to an image server which stores thetransferred picture image data after reading out the picture image datarecorded in the recording medium; access means for enabling the pictureimage data stored in the image server to be accessed and utilized; anddisplay means for displaying the picture image data obtained by taking apicture and the picture image data stored in the image server, whereininformation is attached to the picture image data, said informationbeing at least one of: recording property information, the type code ofthe image obtaining terminal, the product number code of the terminal,the type of the recording medium, the product number of the of therecording medium, the owner code of the recording medium, the date ofrecording of the picture image data, the date of transferring of thepicture image data, the number of transfers of the picture image datawithin a day, and the frame number of the picture image data in therecording medium, wherein said terminal further comprises file namegenerating means for generating a file name of the picture image dataobtained by the picture obtaining means based on at least one of theinformation attached to the picture image data, and assigning the filename to the picture image data.
 2. A terminal for obtaining an image asdefined in claim 1, wherein said accessing means carries out at leastone of browsing, searching, downloading, print ordering, outputting to apredetermined medium, transferring to a specified apparatus or attachingto an electronic mail message of the picture image data.
 3. A temporaryimage recording server, which is connected to an image server whichstores picture image data, and temporarily records the picture imagedata in cases where the picture image data obtained by a digital camerais read and the picture image data is transferred to the image server,comprising image obtaining means for obtaining the picture image dataobtained by the digital camera, recording means for recording thepicture image data, and data transfer means for transferring the pictureimage data, read out from the recording means, to the image server,wherein information is attached to the picture image data, saidinformation being at least one of: recording property information, thetype code of the image transfer apparatus, the product number code ofthe image transfer apparatus, the type code of a recording medium usedin the image transfer apparatus, the product number of the recordingmedium, the owner code of the recording medium, the date of recording ofthe picture image data, the date of transferring of the picture imagedata, the number of transfers of the picture image data within a day,the receipt number which is determined by combing the name of the imageserver and the date of data transfer, and the frame number of thepicture image data in the recording medium, wherein said image recordingserver generates a file name of the picture image data received by theimage obtaining means based on at least one of the information given tothe picture image data, assigns the file name to the picture image data,and stores the picture image data with the file name assigned thereto.4. A temporary image recording server as defined in claim 3, whereinsaid temporary image recording server is connected to the image serverin a wireless manner.
 5. A temporary image recorder server as defined inclaim 3 further comprising at least one of: file outputting means foroutputting the picture image data to a file, printing means for printingthe picture image data, image search means for searching the pictureimage data recorded in the recording means, and input means forinputting a variety of orders.
 6. A temporary image recording server asdefined in claim 5, wherein said temporary image recording server isconnected to the image server in a wireless manner.
 7. A system forstoring and utilizing picture image comprising an image server forstoring the picture image data and a temporary image recording server asdefined in any one of claims 3 to
 6. 8. An image server comprising:image receiving means for receiving picture image data transferred froma plurality of image transfer apparatuses; image storing means forstoring the picture image data received by the image receiving means;and access processing means for receiving access to the picture imagedata stored in the image store means and processing requests for use ofthe picture image data, wherein information is attached to the pictureimage data, said information being at least one of: recording propertyinformation, the type code of the image transfer apparatus, the productnumber code of the image transfer apparatus, the type code of arecording medium used in the image transfer apparatus, the productnumber of the recording medium, the owner code of the recording medium,the date of recording of the picture image data, the date oftransferring of the picture image data, the number of transfers of thepicture image data within a day, the receipt number which is determinedby combing the name of the image server and the date of data transfer,and the frame number of the picture image data in the recording medium,wherein said image storing means generates a file name of the pictureimage data received by the image receiving means based on at least oneof the information given to the picture image data, assigns the filename to the picture image data, and stores the picture image data withthe file name assigned thereto.
 9. An image server as defined in claim8, wherein said access processing means attaches the picture image datato an electronic mail message based on a request from any one or atleast one of said plurality of image transfer apparatuses.
 10. An imageserver as defined in claim 8, wherein said image storing meanscompresses and stores the picture image data.
 11. An image server asdefined in claim 10, wherein said access processing means attaches thepicture image data to an electronic mail message based on a request fromany one or at least one of said plurality of image transfer apparatuses.12. An image server as defined in any one of claims 8 to 11, whereinsaid image storing means searchably stores the picture image data.